Method of printing onto apparel and apparatus

Abstract

A method and system for printing to apparel includes a receptacle configured to receive articles of apparel, such as socks. The receptacle includes perforations and an inner ink absorbing layer. The receptacle is rotated beneath a print head assembly. The ink can be cured using heating devices.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A printing system for printing onto an article of apparel, comprising:
 a receptacle adapted to receive the article of apparel, the receptacle further including a side wall with a plurality of perforations, and wherein the receptacle houses an ink absorbing member disposed inwardly of the side wall; 
 a print head assembly disposed proximate the receptacle, wherein the print head assembly is configured to apply ink to the article of apparel on the receptacle; 
 the receptacle being removably positioned on a first rotating member and a second rotating member; and 
 wherein rotating the first rotating member and the second rotating member causes the receptacle to rotate with respect to the print head assembly. 
 
     
     
       2. The printing system according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one heating device is disposed proximate to the receptacle when the receptacle is positioned on the first rotating member and the second rotating member and wherein the at least one heating device can be used to cure ink deposited onto the article of apparel by the print head assembly. 
     
     
       3. The printing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the ink absorbing member is removable from the receptacle. 
     
     
       4. The printing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle has an approximately cylindrical geometry. 
     
     
       5. The printing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the article of apparel is a sock having an open end and a closed end. 
     
     
       6. The printing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the positions of the first rotating member and the second rotating member can be adjusted to accommodate receptacles of different diameters. 
     
     
       7. The printing system according to  claim 6 , wherein the positions of the first rotating member and the second rotating member are adjusted in a manner to maintain an approximately constant angular contact position between the first rotating member and each of the receptacles of different diameters and between the second rotating member and each of the receptacles of different diameters. 
     
     
       8. The printing system according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one heating device, the first rotating member and the second rotating member are supported between a first support plate and a second support plate of the printing device. 
     
     
       9. The printing system according to  claim 3 , wherein the ink absorbing member is inserted into an opening of the receptacle. 
     
     
       10. The printing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the ink absorbing member has a geometry that is substantially similar to a geometry of the receptacle. 
     
     
       11. The printing system according to  claim 5 , wherein the receptacle is inserted through the open end of the sock. 
     
     
       12. The printing system according to  claim 11 , wherein the open end of the sock is located at any longitudinal position along the receptacle. 
     
     
       13. The printing system according to  claim 5 , wherein the closed end of the sock is inserted into an internal cavity of the receptacle. 
     
     
       14. The printing system according to  claim 8 , wherein the receptacle is disposed between the at least one heating device and a second heating device. 
     
     
       15. The printing system according to  claim 14 , wherein the at least one heating device has a geometry that accommodates a geometry of the receptacle. 
     
     
       16. The printing system according to  claim 15 , wherein the geometry of the at least one heating device has a concave interior surface and the geometry of the receptacle has a convex shape. 
     
     
       17. The printing system according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one heating device disposed proximate the receptacle and a vacuum pump configured to pull ink into the ink absorbing member. 
     
     
       18. The printing system according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one heating device disposed proximate the receptacle, wherein the first rotating member and the second rotating member are adjustable. 
     
     
       19. The printing system according to  claim 18 , further comprising a vacuum pump configured to pull ink into the ink absorbing member. 
     
     
       20. A printing system for printing onto an article of apparel, comprising:
 a receptacle having a cylindrical geometry with different diameters positioned to insert an end of the receptacle into an opening of the article of apparel, the receptacle further including a side wall with a plurality of perforations, and wherein the receptacle houses a removable ink absorbing member disposed inwardly of the side wall; 
 a print head assembly disposed proximate the receptacle, wherein the print head assembly is configured to apply ink to the article of apparel on the receptacle; 
 the receptacle being removably positioned on a first rotating member and a second rotating member; 
 wherein rotating the first rotating member and the second rotating member causes the receptacle to rotate with respect to the print head assembly; and 
 at least one heating device disposed proximate to the receptacle. 
 
     
     
       21. The printing system according to  claim 20 , wherein the at least one heating device can be used to cure ink deposited onto the article of apparel by the print head assembly. 
     
     
       22. The printing system according to  claim 20 , wherein the removable ink absorbing member can be inserted into an opening of the receptacle. 
     
     
       23. The printing system according to  claim 22 , wherein the removable ink absorbing member has a geometry that is substantially similar to a geometry of the receptacle.